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Illinois farmers say proposed trade payment could help ease financial strain caused by rising costs and low prices

A pair of long-time Illinois farmers say they’ve seen a downturn in the ag economy before.

“We remember the ‘80s way too well, so we need to keep a handle on that debt.”

Rock Katschnig, who just harvested his 49^th crop in Henry County, says that mindset means he’s eliminated big-ticket purchases for the foreseeable future.

“New equipment is just a runaway train. We’re going to have to rebuild and recondition.”  He says, “I’d like to have a new 24-row strip till bar, but it’s $650,000. It’s just not practical with 7 to 8% interest. It just doesn’t work in these commodity prices.”

AUDIO: Rock Katschnig – Northwest Illinois farmer

Don Guinnip, who farms in Clark County and was recently elected vice president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, tells Brownfield that a proposed trade disruption payment could help ease some financial pressure.

“We’re kind of in a serious pinch here.”  He says, “We’ve got lower prices, we’ve got higher input costs, and trying to manage and stay in business when you have those two things coming together is a challenge.”

However, he says trade stability should be the long-term goal.

“If we think we’ve got a trade deal with somebody, we rally,” he says, “and then, well, we’ve got another problem, so we go down.  It’s just a roller coaster.”

Both farmers say minimizing production costs and maintaining an open line of communication with ag lenders is critical for producers during economic downturns.  

Brownfield spoke with Katschnig at the 2025 Greater Peoria Farm Show and Guinnip at the Illinois Corn Growers Association annual meeting.

AUDIO: Don Guinnip – Southeast Illinois farmer